FFRDCs act as a vehicle for special research and development contracting within the federal government. The FFRDCs provide DHS with independent and objective advice and quick response on critical issues throughout the Homeland Security Enterprise. HSSEDI and HSOAC perform high-quality research and provide advice that is authoritative, objective and free from conflicts of interest caused by competition.

FFRDC Program Management Office

The FFRDC Program Management Office (PMO) provides centralized oversight and support of the FFRDCs, including the coordination of supporting services from the various financial, legal, security, public affairs and contracting offices within S&T. The PMO acts as the liaison to the FFRDCs; develops long- and short-term component outreach strategies; administers the FFRDC’s core research program activities; acts as a clearinghouse and repository for the FFRDC’s research deliverables and provides for various reporting release and dissemination of FFRDC-related information. The FFRDC PMO is the gateway for DHS use of other FFRDCs, except the Department of Energy's (DOE). Access to the DOE’s FFRDC is coordinated through S&T’s Office of National Labs.